Allain, an assistant coach for the U.S. Olympic hockey team, left for the Deutschland Cup earlier this week. The U.S. coaching staff is using the tournament to evaluate and assemble a team that will compete at the Winter Games in South Korea in February.

Yale, which plays host to St. Lawrence (tonight at 7) and Clarkson (Saturday, 7 p.m.) is under the direction of assistant coaches Ryan Donald and Josh Siembida until Allain’s return.

It was, for the most part, business as usual at practice this week.

“I can’t remember a time in four years when coach wasn’t around,” Larkin said. “It’s definitely a different feel. But I think the players are really excited because we’re taking on more responsibility for ourselves. The rest of the staff is excited to let us play a little and see what we can do. We miss Keith and are excited for the opportunity he has in Germany. That said we’re still focused and energetic for the weekend.”

Allain, serving his third stint as a U.S. Olympic assistant, last missed a Yale game in January 2011, when he was coaching Team USA at the World Junior Championships in Buffalo. Yale defeated a Russian all-star team in an exhibition and pounded Holy Cross 10-3 during his absence.

In addition to this weekend’s games, Allain is expected to miss the final six games of the regular season. Opening ceremonies for the Olympics are Feb. 9 in PyeongChang. The bronze and gold medal games are Feb. 24.

Donald, a former Yale defenseman and captain, is in his third season as an assistant. Siembida, a goalie at North Dakota and later Quinnipiac, has been an assistant at Yale the past six seasons, three as a volunteer goaltending coach and three as a full-time assistant.

Each already has heavy a heavy role in game preparation and management in Allain’s system.

“Nothing changes,” Siembida said. “Other than it being a different voice, everything remains the same in the way we do things. The way (Allain) does things, we’re structured. He has a plan and knows day to day what we want to accomplish. We’re following suit with what needs to be done for the weekend.”

Yale (2-2, 2-2) is coming off a road split, which began with an impressive 5-2 victory over Harvard — ranked No. 3 in the country — before a 3-1 loss at Dartmouth.

So far, the Bulldogs have been strong on defense and progressing on offense. Dartmouth was the first team to score more than twice on Yale junior goalie Sam Tucker (Brown scored four in a season-opening win, but two were on empty nets).

Tucker, a Wilton native who played at Choate, took over as the starting goalie midway through last season. He’s started all four games this season with numbers — a 2.27 goals-against average and .905 save percentage — that are improved from last year.

“The experience definitely helps,” Tucker said. “At the same time you’re trying to prove yourself. Nothing is given to you. That keeps you motivated to stay at the top of your game.”

The Bulldogs are searching for consistency on offense — two one-goal games are sandwiched around a pair of five-goal outbursts. Rectifying an inefficient power play could go a long way toward that end. Yale is just 1-for-23 on the man advantage so far this season, a 4.3 percent rate of success that’s currently worst in the country.

St. Lawrence (1-8-1, 0-1-1) could be the perfect cure. Kyle Hayton, one of the nation’s best goaltenders, transferred to Wisconsin. The Saints are suddenly vulnerable on defense, especially on the penalty kill.

Clarkson (6-3-1, 2-0) is off to one of its better starts in years, thanks to emerging sophomore forwards Sheldon Rempal (seven goals, 13 points) and Devin Brosseau (2-6-9). Sophomore goalie Jake Kiely has also been outstanding, with a 1.50 GAA and .947 save percentage.

As much as Yale is looking forward to the challenge of performing without their head coach, they certainly don’t want to disappoint him, either. He might be thousands of miles away. But he’ll be watching.